Welcome to our Blog!

Reed and Kris

Favorite web site: our bamboo bat business

Favorite Quote

"Those who do not read are no better off than those who cannot read." Unknown

And my new favorite: "Knowledge must bow to spirit." Inness

Current Reads

I had not updated my "current reads" for about 2 years...not so current! 8/25/13 Just finished The River of Doubt by Candice Millard...about Teddy Roosevelt's journey to explore an uncharted tributary of the Amazon River...ending in Manaus, Brazil. It was a disaster from the beginning, and almost cost him his life. So interesting! For book club, we read The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. Based on a documentary his son had made about residents of the largest dump in Cambodia, the author tells a story about the importance of books, literature, the ability to read, learning to read and transforming one's life. I had to force myself to put it down so I could make it last!! Wonderful!

Now it is 2015...I have read The Boys in the Boat, about the University of Washington rowing team that won the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It made me want to stand up and cheer!! I had read Unbroken, about Louis Zamperini who also participated in the 1936 Olympics. Heroic, inspirational, and I don't want to see the movie!! I don't want to be disappointed and I always am.

We just finished The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin for book club. Painstakingly researched, as always, the author presents a thorough study of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft...the men, their lives, their friendship and their presidencies. Another Ohio POTUS of whom I knew little, William H. Taft gave me reason to be proud :). They were very different men, of fine character, great intellect, and lasting legacies. So interesting.

In preparation for the Idaho Humanities Council dinner in Twin Falls, featuring the author, Jamie Ford, I am reading Songs of Willow Frost. This author wrote Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, which I enjoyed tremendously and have shared with many friends. His new book is equally passionate in terms of evoking the time and place the characters inhabit, their challenges, relationships, strengths, courage and ability to love, in spite of crushing circumstances. I can't wait to hear him speak!

Our Favorite Music

A word of explanation for the playlist: We really do like "old time rock and roll!" (and I didn't go out with Bob Seger...he dedicated a song to me and we hung out with his band one spring evening in 1969) Believe it or not, Reed loves Itzak Perlman's violin virtuosity, and Sherill Milnes' operatic baritone! We enjoy country music, classical music, and pop. However, for the playlist, I chose very meaningful songs! One holds memories of early-morning seminary wakeups. One is a family joke on Mom! (what is that word? twister?) One is just plain beautiful. One represents my Ohio background (Chrissy Hynde, of The Pretenders, is from Cleveland. ) One, A New Day, commemorates Eden's and my trip to LasVegas to see Celine Dion! (It was my birthday present from Eden and Dan). I had to include a few Beatles tunes...I couldn't find my favorite Aerosmith song; had to have Metallica (Dallin). I had to include Somewhere, Missy's sign language choreographed ballet. Also, there is kind of a different version of Reed's and my favorite hymn! We tried to find "our song" by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap...to no avail. We'll keep adding as our feeble memories dredge up the oldies.

About Me

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Easter was a wonderful time of faith, family and fun...we watched our Church's General Conference on TV, then got together for dinner and birthday celebrations for Cache, Missy and Kip. We had to have an egg hunt for anyone who wanted to participate...bunny Bailey hid the eggs then cheered and directed the fun.

Brothers and sisters...dressed up for Grandma's benefit...then it was time to change and get comfy...

Uncle and niece...guitar lesson in progress,,,

Sisters...

Brother and sister...

The egg hunt...ready...

GO... and then when mom tackled son to let daughter get one more egg, son tackled mom ...all in fun and love! THE END

Monday, April 6, 2015

We went to Orlando to join Missy, Kip and McKena for a fun-filled vacation. We stayed at the Reunion Resort, which was our base for 4 very different daily excursions. We had never been to Florida, so we wanted to see as much as our limited time would allow. SO, first stop was EPCOT...

Free "sodas of the world" ? Yes, please.

Butterfly garden was part of the seasonal Garden Show

Highlights from my favorite "countries"...France

China...the terra cotta warriors...about 1/2 the size of originals

Mexico...on the 3 Caballeros ride :)

The grand finale...

At Clearwater...the white sand was spectacular

and the water was WARM in the Gulf of Mexico

St. Augustine...Cafe Alcazar in what used to be the largest indoor pool in the world...the water level was about a foot lower than the arches under the banisters. This is the deep end!

Saturday, March 7, 2015

I wanted to give Cache some space here...he has played on a club basketball team for the past 2 years, the Boise Slam. It takes a huge commitment from him and his family to keep him practicing during the week, and playing in tournaments on weekends. We love to watch him play...he is a hard worker, unselfish with the basketball, a great rebounder, has a nice outside shot and can drive to the hoop. He has a great instinct for where the ball is going to be and he gets himself there! We had him one weekend when Eden, Dan and Brooklyn went to Cedar City, UT for Dan's induction into the Southern Utah University Hall of Fame with his basketball team from 2000-2001. (The only team from SUU to play in the NCAA tournament) So, on my watch, Cache ends up with an injury!! Poor guy, there wasn't an ice cube, or first aid kit, or even a paper towel in the whole middle school in which they were playing...going clean and green with only automatic hand dryers can leave a question of how to clean up blood spatter...he was a mess!

When I found out that Bob Seger was touring again, and he would be playing in Las Vegas, it was time to go!! I first saw Bob, in person, in Columbia, MO in 1969. My college roommate was friends with him and some members of his band...she suggested we walk over to Mizzou and look for them. We ended up spending the day with them as they set up equipment for their concert that night. We got front row seats, and Bob asked me what song I would like to hear. I said, "Heavy Music!" That evening, Bob dedicated the song to me. A MOMENT in my life that I will never forget. It has been 46 years, and I was ready to rock again. We arrived in Las Vegas on Thursday...Eden and Dan flew in on Saturday to attend the concert with us. So, here is a recap of our adventures in LV.

Billboard at the airport...perfect greeting!

At the Dale Chihuly gallery...

We go to Vegas to EAT...Bobby Flay's burger joint...

Cirque du Soleil...Zarkana...fantastic!

At the Bellagio, the conservatory is decorated for Chinese New Year...the year of the ram.

Before they announced no photography of the show...Cirque du Soleil "O"...the water added such an unbelievable element to the already spectacular performance. How do they do that?? The pool fills and empties, during the show, allowing the swimmers to perform and then creating a stage for the other characters.

Saturday night at Mandalay Bay...11,000 senior citizens (plus Eden and Dan) got a little rowdy. Bob was in fine voice, he seemed so happy to be performing...we enjoyed every note!!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!! I subbed today...reading specialist...such a fun day for kids in school; decorating boxes, delivering Valentines, yummy treats. I had so many offers of candy (trying not to do sugar), and the teachers' lounge was filled with delicious temptations. Ha! I resisted and feel victorious! And then...I came home to my sweetie, who bestowed a beautiful bouquet upon me.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

We had a WHITE CHRISTMAS here this year...when we left the house, it was raining. By the time we arrived in Star, it was snowing and kept on through the evening. We had a lovely dinner at Jay and Christa's...

Durham thought it was his birthday again, so he kept blowing out the candles!

Eden tried to steal a kiss under the mistletoe...Durham wasn't having any of that!

Bellamie came to the rescue ;)

After 17 years of playing the "Danish Pudding" game...(hide the almond), Dallin finally won!!